Anti-smoking drug Champix not linked to depression, suicide & heart disease

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Pfizer's anti-smoking drug Champix does not raise the risk of depression, suicide and heart disease, a new study found.

According to the University of Edinburg and University of Dusseldorf researchers, doctors may continue prescribing Champix or Chantix, generically known as varenicline, to help people quit smoking. In the research detailed in the journal Lancet Respiratory Medicine, researchers have found that there is no evidence that the previously thought side effects of Champix is true.

Business Standard added that the anti-smoking drug does not increase the likeliness of its user to have a heart attack.

According to the Daily Mail, Champix helps reduce the need and urgency to smoke, and is generally prescribed to smokers who find it hard to stop smoking.

For the study, researchers monitored patients who were prescribed with Champix, Zyban (also an anti-smoking drug, generally known as bupropion), and those who were given nicotine patches or gum.

After six months, the team found that there is neither negative mental health impact nor greater risk for heart attack in those who were taking Champix, Zyban or those taking nicotine replacement therapy.

"Smokers typically lose three months of life expectancy for every year of continued smoking," said Professor Daniel Kotz, co-author of the study from the University of Dusseldorf, via Eureka Alert. "Our research supports the use of varenicline as an effective and safe tool to help people quit."

According to Telegraph, the United States have slapped a health warning on the Champix label saying that its side effects include heart attack risks. In Britain, the anti-smoking drug is highly-prescribed among smokers for almost a decade. However, there has been a slew of reports claiming it can cause depression and suicide. In England, Champix is prescribed by the NHS to more than 300,000 people which made 60 percent smokers quit successfully.

Becase of the new study, researchers suggest that health warnings should thoroughly be reviewed so it would not hinder patients from getting the help that they need.

"On the basis of our extensive analysis, we believe it is highly unlikely that varenicline has any significant adverse effects on cardiac or mental health," said Professor Aziz Sheikh of the University of Edinburgh. "Regulators such as the United States Food and Drug Administration should review its safety warning in relation to varenicline as this may be unnecessarily limiting access to this effective smoking cessation aid."